Auto Sector Key to Ontario's Economy

Premier Kathleen Wynne Focused on Building Partnerships and Creating Jobs

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Premier Kathleen Wynne toured Omega Tool Corp. in Windsor today to stress the importance of building partnerships with the auto sector that create good, high-paying jobs.

Joined by Windsor West Liberal candidate Teresa Piruzza, Premier Wynne toured the family owned business and global leader in plastics tooling used in the auto sector. The company boasts almost 200 full-time employees and has benefited from direct support from the Liberal government.

Committed $4.8 billion to support the restructuring of GM and Chrysler in 2009.

Entered into a partnership in 2010 with Ford Motor Company of Canada, worth $78.7 million and leveraging a $590 million investment from Ford that allowed the company to upgrade its Essex plant, saving about 520 jobs at Ford and thousands more indirect jobs.

Came to 25 separate agreements with auto assemblers and parts manufacturers over the last 10 years, worth $893 million. These agreements have helped secure $9.5 billion in new investments, and contributed over $100 billion to the province’s GDP.

Liberals will build on the success of these partnerships with business with a ten-year, $2.5 billion Jobs and Prosperity Fund that will help secure investments that create jobs, increase productivity and help businesses compete globally. The fund was contained in the 2014 Liberal Budget. Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals will re-introduce the Budget if re-elected on June 12.

Andrea Horwath and the NDP chose not to support the Budget, putting these partnerships and high-paying jobs at risk.

Tim Hudak and the PCs oppose working with the auto sector, or any of Ontario’s key industries, to produce lasting economic benefits. When Chrysler Canada was considering a long-term commitment to its Windsor and Brampton plants and the 8,000 workers who operate them, the Hudak PCs opposed any role for government in supporting Chrysler’s investment.

Quote

“Ontario is in a global competition for jobs, and the auto sector is no exception. I am proud of the partnerships we have had with the auto sector, and the jobs those partnerships have helped protect and create. Tim Hudak says we should sit on our hands, focus on firing people and slashing services. That stands in stark contrast to our unwavering support for the auto sector.”— Premier Kathleen Wynne

Quick Facts

Ontario has been the #1 auto producer in North America for nine of the last 10 years.

The auto sector in Ontario employs well over 400,000 Ontarians, and contributes nearly $13 billion to our economy annually.

Ontario is the only jurisdiction with five major auto assemblers.

Since the recessionary low of 2009 Ontario’s automotive sector has recovered over 14,581 jobs.

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) partnered with Omega Tool Corp. so the company could invest in new equipment and software. This investment of $440,000 will help Omega increase production, reduce costs, and improve its global competitiveness while creating 10 new jobs and retaining 188 positions in Windsor-Essex.